Fab Four play for a good cause

The tribute band Fab Four brought Beatles fans from all generations together Saturday at Chaffey High School in Ontario. Ticket sales and donations went towards World Vision and Women of Vision, two organizations dedicated to helping impoverished children throughout the world, and in the local community. / photo by Christopher Guzman

Rachel Smith
Staff Writer

Beatles fans of all ages packed into the auditorium to experience the Fab Four as they brought the Beatles of the 1960s back to life.

The Fab Four invaded Chaffey High School’s Gardiner Spring Auditorium on Saturday night to headline the Women of Vision’s benefit.

“This is the third annual benefit show and the expected attendance is 1,600, but we are hoping for 1,700,” said Roxanne Basica, chairwoman for the Mt. Baldy chapter of Women of Vision.

Martha Romero, Women of Vision event chairwoman, reminded the fans that the music was not the only reason they were at the concert.

She spoke about the benefits the money was going to have locally and internationally.

Women of Vision is a group of Christian women who volunteer their time to help impoverished and oppressed women and children of the world.

Before the Fab Four took to the stage, the audience watched a video about Women of Vision’s mission to provide clean water to the people of the West African nation of Sierra Leone.

Marilee Pierce Dunker, Women of Vision advocate and the daughter of the organization’s founder, talked about the need for clean water and what was being done in Sierra Leone.

“You and I are changing the world just by attending tonight,” Dunker said.

As the lights went down and the curtain rustled, out popped an Ed Sullivan impersonator to introduce the band. With the strum of the guitar, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” drove the audience into a wild frenzy.

The Fab Four’s Ardy Sarraf, performing as Paul McCartney; Ron McNeil, as John Lennon; Michael Amador, as George Harrison; and Rolo Sandoval, as Ringo Starr; intoxicated the crowd with their uncanny Beatle tribute.

The Fab Four funny banter on stage and their musical ability took the crowd back to the British invasion. The band proceeded to rock all the Beatle hits, from “All My Loving” to “A Hard Days Night,” which proved to be audience favorites. The crowd was clapping and dancing along.

The second half of the concert began with “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band.” The guys took the crowd through the “Strawberry Fields Forever” and walked them down “Penny Lane.”

“This was the best part of the show,” Lydia Updike, audience member, said. “I felt like I was 14 again at my first Beatles concert.”

The psychedelic feel of The Fab Four’s groovy costumes took over the auditorium. Sandoval stole the show with his great tribute to Starr as he belted out “Yellow Submarine.” During the song a bright yellow submarine emerged above the band and proceeded to go across the stage.

McNeil performed an excellent rendition of “Imagine.” He reminded the audience about how Lennon was a “hero” and his struggle for peace. McNeil dedicated the song to all those who believed in peace.

“So awesome, I love these boys,” Taniya Purdy, audience member said.

She was there celebrating her 43rd wedding anniversary with her husband Bill. “Revolution” and “Hey Jude” were the songs that closed out the evening. The roar of the crowd was almost deafening.

The Fab Four gave it their all for the audience. Some of the funds raised will also be used to help the local Ontario homeless population. The women have partnered with the Ontario Kiwanis and New Hope to help supply homeless individuals with very much needed hygiene products.

For more information on Women of Vision, visit womenofvision.org or call (909) 982-5570.